Vicki Marsh and El Sahir Qualified for: Hutchinsons Staff Ridden Pure Bred Arab Stallion of the Year

There are a number of places where I could begin my journey to HOYS. So I think it will be best to highlight a brief history of why I'm writing about my journey. I've been breeding and showing Arabian horses for over 20 years now. There have been many highlights and some extremely low times since I started on this epic crusade.

One memorable moment was when my gelding won "Ridden Arabian of the Year" at HOYS in 2002. He was a horse of a lifetime and he can never be replaced and will always be remembered for his achievements.

In 2001, I delivered a young cheeky colt into the world….His name is "El Sahir". As he grew, I knew he would take time to develop so I didn't break him until he was rising seven. He has won many Championships In Hand and has gone on to now qualify for HOYS in 2010 at the Wessex Arab Horse Show, which was held at the Hand Equestrian Centre on Saturday 14th August 2010, in his first season as an open horse under saddle. Merlin has grown into a beautiful stallion and I'm sure he will be a true ambassador for the Arabian breed.

"El Sahir" or "Merlin" to his friends, was one of the lucky ones you could say. On February 23rd 2009 was the worst day of my life. Arsonists set fire to my hay and straw and soon the fire spread to the stables with the horses inside. Four died, including my beloved "Johara El Kheil", Ridden Arabian of the Year 2002. Merlin wasn't there, he was away having some lessons with his other mum, Antonia Mitchell in Stalmine, Blackpool. She said, when I spoke to her about what had happened, that Merlin was very quiet, as though he knew something had happened. After the fire I was devastated, I'd lost most of my belongings, all horsey accessories and as mentioned four horses. Three did survive that day and they are the reason I carried on.

Many people rallied round, donating rugs, brushes, headcollars, everything I needed was arriving from all over the country. Arabian Lines set up a PayPal donation button on their website, people held a tack Auction and Leigh Horse & Pony Club held a show. The money raised has gone towards rebuilding my farm. At the moment the stables just need the roof on, the doors to be fitted and a bit of ground work. Soon Merlin will be able to return home, to Al Karif and settle in a new safe stable. Then he can tell all his horsey friends all about his adventures and the "BIG PARTY" at the Horse of the Year Show.

At the moment Merlin is staying with and being ridden by a good friend, Miss Emily Cooper. It is not only thanks to Emily that Merlin is competing this year at HOYS but special thanks must also go to Kirsty Nelson and Kate Hutchinson, who have both had a big input into Merlin's short but successful ridden career. Thanks must also go to the many people who have helped me over the last 18 months for without them my life would be empty. So to all the people who have donated something to help, whether it be money, physical help or just a shoulder to cry on, this journey to the Horse of the Year Show is for you.